The sts in the () are what you repeat X times, then repeat everything between the *s across the row until you have 5 sts left which match the beginning 5 sts. So here's how it breaks down -
* ssk, ssk, ssk
yo, k1, yo k1, yo, k1, yo k1, yo k1 (do not knit an extra stitch with the yo, it's just wrapping the yarn around the needle and the k1 will anchor it)
k2tog, k2tog, k2tog
Repeat from ssk 3 times again to the last 5 sts. K5
This is the feather and fan pattern and the most common way people get off the pattern is not doing the YOs right, and forgetting that when you finish the 3 k2togs, you need to do ssk again.